Glossary

A personal flotation device designed to assist a person in staying afloat in water, typically used in recreational boating or water sports.

A...

A floating pyrotechnic device that emits dense, orange coloured smoke to signal distress or indicate position at sea. 

A buoyant smoke flare...

“By and large”—another classic sailing phrase that’s drifted into everyday English. Here’s the nautical story behind it:

⚓ Nautical Origin of...

An enclosed space on a boat or ship that provides shelter and accommodation for passengers or crew.

A cabin on a boat or ship is a designated...

A unit of distance traditionally used to measure short distances at sea. It is generally considered one-tenth of a nautical mile, which equals...

A strong, heavy rope or wire, often made of steel, used for mooring, anchoring, or towing vessels.

A cable refers to a thick, durable line,...

The CADET mnemonic can help remember the corrections needed when converting between True North and Compass North bearings. It assists in...

A unique identifier assigned to a vessel or maritime station for communication purposes, typically used in radio transmissions.

A call sign is...

A mechanical device with spring-loaded, opposing cams that grip a rope or line to hold it securely while allowing for quick adjustments. 

A...

Cancel (or Disregard) informs the receiver to disregard the previous message or cancel the signalling. There is no specific attachment to...

An overturning of a boat so that the hull or keel becomes exposed.

This can happen when a small craft is overpowered by wind, hit by a wave,...

Cardinal Bearings are the main points on a compass, expressed by their name. There are four main cardinal points, North, South, East, and West...

Buoy or pillar placed North, East, South or West side of an obstruction to warn vessels away.

Cardinal marks indicate that the deepest water...

Releasing a rope or line so a vessel can move away.

This is commonly used when leaving a berth, buoy, tow or alongside position. Lines should...

A type of multihulled vessel featuring two parallel hulls of equal size, connected by a deck or framework, offering stability, speed, and...

A vessel whose ability to deviate from its current course is significantly restricted due to the depth of water relative to its draught.

A...

A navigational situation where two vessels maintain the same relative bearing to each other while the distance between them diminishes, often...

The International Maritime Signal Flag Charlie.

Meaning

Affirmative.
If appended with a Numeral Pennant, a Magnetic Bearing.